NTSB investigations, IA
180,610 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,589 accidents, the rest incidents and other occurrences. Each has NTSB’s narrative and, once the investigation is done, its probable cause; since 2008, its findings and sequence of events.
Cases, newest first
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'IA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA' ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'IA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CHI99LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3C · Independence, IAThe insufficient information from the weather forecast resulting in an in-flight encounter with turbulence/gusts and the subsequent precautionary landing. Contributing factors were the gusty/turbulent conditions and the terrain condition (crop).NTSB CHI99LA187Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5KB · Iowa City, IAthe pilot stalled the airplane. Factors included the instructor pilot's inadequate preflight briefing and improper in flight decision.NTSB CHI99LA179Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Traer, IAThe pilot's not maintaining proper runway alignment during the aborted takeoff, and the airport personnel not maintaining the runway. Factors were rough terrain and a dirt bank.NTSB CHI99LA150Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A-36 · Buffalo Center, IAThe pilot not attaining a proper touchdown point and not performing a go around. Factors were the wet grass and the tailwin.NTSB CHI99FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC-12D · Newton, IAthe failure of the pilot to maintain flying speed resulting in a stall and spin into the ground.NTSB CHI99IA136Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 · Dubuque, IAthe frozen elevator control. Factors to the incident were the rain and the low temperature.NTSB CHI99LA119Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Ankeny, IAThe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.NTSB CHI99LA114Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Waterloo, IAthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control.NTSB CHI99FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Sherrill, IAthe pilot continued flying with a known discrepancy and he failed to maintain airspeed and lost control of the airplane while attempting a forced landing. Factors included the tailwind and the undetermined loss of power.NTSB CHI99LA045Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Ankeny, IAthe elevator control system jammed for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI99LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Carrol, IAthe pilot's inadequate preflight inpection of the fuel tanks and filler neck caps before departure. Factors associated with this accident were the leaking right wing fuel tank filler cap and fuel exhaution.NTSB CHI99LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Iowa Falls, IAthe pilot's improper preflight planning and preparation, and his not refueling the airplane. Factors were fuel exhaustion and the fence.NTSB CHI99LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12C · Clinton, IAthe failure of the 90 degree gearbox for reasons undetermined. Factors were the failure of the gearbox, and it not being possible for the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft.NTSB CHI98LA362Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Iowa City, IAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI98LA346Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNeedham Glastar · Allison, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB CHI98LA328Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B35 · Iowa City, IAThe fuel starvation due to improper fuel management by the pilot-in-command. Also, the aircraft procedures and directives which were not followed by the pilot-in-command is an additional cause. The rough and uneven terrain in addition to the low altitude of…NTSB CHI98FA323Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 222 · Spencer, IAThe below standard (loose) fit of the 'white' swashplate outer ring pin resulting in fatigue and subsequent separation of the pin, and ultimately the in-flight breakup of the rotorcraft. A factor was the manufacturer's dissemination of the pin which did not…NTSB CHI98FA309Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · New Hampton, IAThe pilot's inadequate preflight/planning inspection and his continued flight into known adverse weather conditions that led to spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control. Also causal was the pilot exceeded the design limits of the airplane causing…NTSB CHI98LA252Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-151 · Anthon, IAThe pilot-in-command's improper preflight planning, preparation and fuel management resulting in an unscheduled landing and impact with a pole.NTSB CHI98LA250Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCanadian Car & Foundry Harvard MK IV · Dyersville, IAthe pilot in command's not maintaining control of the airplane and his inadvertently allowing the airplane to enter a stall. A factor was the undetermined loss of engine power.NTSB CHI98FA244Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStubbe-Kitfox Classic · Traer, IAthe failure of the pilot of the Kitfox to maintain flying speed (Vs).NTSB CHI98LA203Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-151 · Jefferson, IAthe pilot's lack of total experience in this type of aircraft and his failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff. A factor was the ditch.NTSB CHI98LA186Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSheets Kitfox II · Greenfield, IAthe initial climb airspeed not obtained/maintained after liftoff by the pilot in command. A factor was the improper compensation for wind conditions by the pilot in command.NTSB CHI98LA184Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-15 · Waterloo, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines during climb. A factor was the power lines.NTSB CHI98LA142Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBombardier Rans S-9 · Waukee, IAthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in a stall while performing intentional buzzing maneuvers.NTSB CHI98LA103Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Council Bluffs, IAthe pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the landing. The dark night was a factor.NTSB CHI98LA098Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Mason City, IAthe accumulation of airframe ice during flight, and failure of the pilot to attain a proper flare for landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather (icing) condition; and the pilot's limited forward visibility, due to ice on the…NTSB CHI98LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Winterset, IAThe pilot misjudging his airspeed on final approach, resulting in a long touchdown and insufficient distance to stop on the remaining runway available.NTSB CHI98LA075Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Boone, IAfailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from obstruction(s), while flying low over a river. The obstruction (power line) was a related factor.NTSB CHI98LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Spencer, IAThe pilot failure to comply with the prescribed IFR procedure and his not following his company's operations specifications. Low clouds and fog were are contributing factors.NTSB CHI98LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportReed-Madsen Taylor Bird · Humboldt, IAthe failure of the pilot-in-command to attain airspeed and maintain control of the aircraft, resulting in a stall/mush.NTSB CHI97LA288Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35-C33A · Amana, IAthe pilot's improper planning/decision. The fence (location) was a related factor.NTSB CHI97LA291Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Oxford, IAthe instructor pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors were the improper flare by the dual student and the instructor pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.NTSB CHI97LA280Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Monona, IAthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, and subsequently, his not being able to attain remedial action to avoid impact with the terrain. A related factor was the downdraft.NTSB CHI97LA275Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBucker Flugzeugbau Jungmann · Blakesburg, IALoss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI97LA277Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Council Bluffs, IAinadequate supervision by the designated examiner by failing to ensure a timely autorotation recovery was initiated. A related factor was: the student pilot allowed the rotor rpm to diminish after the examiner simulated a loss of engine power.NTSB CHI97LA266Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA226TC · Des Moines, IAthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to perform the emergency procedure for shut-down of the right engine. Factors relating to the accident were: the power lever cable became disconnected from the fuel control unit, due to improper…NTSB CHI97LA250Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Keokuk, IAthe pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a porpoise, failure (collapse) of the nose gear, and a subsequent nose over.NTSB CHI97LA229Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Mapleton, IAthe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the cornfield in which the pilot was forced to land.NTSB CHI97LA214Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Ottumwa, IAthe improper flare performed by the student and the inadequate recovery from the bounced landing. A factor related to the accident was the student lack of experience.NTSB CHI97GA166Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportHughes 269A-1 · Cedar Rapids, IAloss of engine power due to undetermined reason(s). Related factors included the obstructions (building, utility pole, and transmission wires); and the lack of a functional windsock, due to inadequate facility maintenance by the operator.NTSB CHI97LA155Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Woodbine, IAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors were the high temperature and high vegetation.NTSB CHI97LA132Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Correctionville, IAthe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, while taxiing, which resulted in loss of aircraft control, an encounter with terrain, and subsequent failure of the left main landing gear. The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor.NTSB CHI97LA118Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Council Bluffs, IAfailure of the student pilot to maintain directional control, inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), and subsequent failure of the pilot(s) to properly flare the helicopter during a hover autorotation.NTSB CHI97LA113Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Pella, IAthe pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for the landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the soft landing surface of the farm strip.NTSB CHI97LA097Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Des Moines, IAoil contamination and starvation due to the inadequate maintenance inspection of the pilot/owner. Factors included the deterioration of the piston pin plug, the connecting rod failure, and the unsuitable terrain for landing.NTSB CHI97LA094Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 195 · Cedar Rapids, IAoverload failure of the left main landing gear for undetermined reason(s). A factor associated with the accident was the gusty crosswind condition.NTSB CHI97IA072Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 · Des Moines, IAthe cross tie relay shorted resulting in a fire in the left main electrical equipment rack.NTSB CHI97FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Larchwood, IAthe noninstrument-rated pilot's takeoff into instrument meteorological conditions. The weather was a factor.NTSB CHI97LA053Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLearjet 24 · Muscatine, IAthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the snow covered runway edge.